I use bent-shaft most of my paddling time and always for sit-and-switch. If I want any fine-tuned correction or safety of the paddle being in the water - in high winds or running whitewater - I use straight shaft paddle and J-stroke. I wonder is it how everyone paddles or someone does J stroke with a bent-shaft?
Cheers,
Sergey

Although I mostly sit-and-switch, I also J-stroke when I need to do that. Also draw, back, sweep, etc strokes.

I use my bent shaft for carefree cruising on open water. When things get serious I switch to my straight shaft. One thing I notice is if I'm using my bent shaft, I tend to paddle harder (probably needlessly). I notice the same with a double blade. It just comes unconsciously. If I use a straight shaft I am able to do so at a leisurely pace if desired.

My guess sit-and-switch with bent-shaft paddle requires higher cadence since there's no recovery phase at the end of the stroke when one can keep passive paddle in the water. You have to get the blade out of the water - and then what? Obviously, the only fluid movement will be to put it back for the next stroke.

Instead of pulling the convex side for the J, I push the concave side out. Doesn't require much force since the shaft is bent already. Easier on the wrists.

Just hit and switch with a bent. Strokes should start as far forward as comfortable and end before your hand is adjacent your hip. J- stroke is simply continuous moderate use of rudder; bleeding your forward progress for lateral correction. I advocate using forward progress for lateral correction.

AmarilloJim: "Instead of pulling the convex side for the J, I push the concave side out. "

Hmmm, interesting... I've never heard of a bent-shaft with a curved blade. I thought that curved blade is strictly for powering canoe in serious whitewater - where very little people use bent-shaft paddles. Though I saw very impressive exception on slalom course some years ago - still, his blade was flat.

I was referring to the angle between the shaft and the blade.